I've been trying to come up with an MP party idea that would be the most overpowered imaginable, but the best I can come up with is this:

Monk
R/C
Swashbuckler
Inquisitor
Blade
Assassin or Barbarian

It's a little spell-light, with the only divine caster being multi-classed and the only arcane caster being a bard, but I'm hoping that just about everyone can melee. Now, the monk, the swashie, and the R/C are definitely staying. What that trio lacks is arcane magic (have to have at least some), and I'm pretty sure I'll want a pally to wield Carsomyr +6 with GWW, but past that it's up for grabs. Any advice?

Dual the swashbuckler to mage at 10th level and take a sorcerer instead of a barbarian/assassin.

There's no way I'm dualling the swashbuckler. He's my main thief, and the AC bonuses get ridiculous at high levels so he'll be tanking a bit eventually.

I might take a sorcerer, but you'll have to do a little more convincing than that. ;)

You already have enough tanks and don't need another. Long distance killing and multiple Horrid Wiltings are the key to power (at 10th level you'll have all the ability points you need).

Time Stop - Imp Alacrity - Multiple Horrid Wiltings and Skull Traps (Imoen killed ALL the fallen solar party at the Throne of Bhaal with this).

Followed immediately by another character doing the same thing.

The AC bonuses of the Swashbuckler doesn't compare to Tensor's Transformation.

Take out the assassin :lol: for a dualed Kensai/Mage or a Cleric/Mage for back up healing and more magic power.

Inquisitor
R/C
Monk
Swashy
Blade
Kensai/Mage or C/M dualed

You already have enough tanks and don't need another. No such thing; I want to be ripping them to pieces. :evil:

You have convinced me I need a full-blown arcane caster, but what would I do for trap disarming between dualling the swashbuckler and getting those abilities back? Keep in mind that it'll be MP so I WON'T be kicking anyone out just to quick learn spells and get beaucoup XP. If I can't disarm traps or open locks, I'd rather have the swashbuckler normal with a mage/sorc on the side.

@kuemper:
:doh: Kensais, of course! Hmm... :idea:

Monk
R/C
Kensai->Thief
Blade
Swashbuckler->Mage
Inquisitor

EDIT:
Still not sure about the Blade, though; I've never used one before.

[ November 16, 2005, 22:50: Message edited by: Felinoid ]

i would change the swashie for a full blown sorcerer, the blade can handle the disarming and stuff like that

IMO, the blade is better for solo or small parties. He benefits most from getting the best stuff. That being said, if you are going to cheese with multiple stacked images singing multiple stacked songs, then by all means take him. The K/T will be great, but are you dualling at 9, 12 or 13? I'm just wondering where your thief levels will be during the dual learning curve for both characters.

By the by, in games involving TOB (or not, but as long as you get HLA's . . . ), I think that multi-class are more powerful than dual-class, so I'd replace both of your dual-class characters with a F/T + sorceror (or F/M), as I think you are light on arcane spell casting.

@Balle:
Blades can't disarm traps, but I just remembered that monks can. :doh:

P.S. I'm not looking for ways to load up my party with arcane magic, a'ight? And if I were to go with a single-classed arcane caster, it'd be a wild mage or a specialist, not a sorcerer. :p

I thought monks could HiS, MS and Detect Traps, not Disarm. Well, I am :geezer: and the memory's going quicker.

I've been tetchy about blades m'self, as is dual wielding and fighting. When I had HD in a party, he was a backup caster/archer and I only threw him into melee when I needed the weapon he carried.

well i'm playing a monk and i dont think he can disarm?


'ey take da archer, he be da crazy a$$ kicka mon!

I don't think you need a thief higher than 7th level (the level Imoen dual classes at).

I suggest:

Gnome Fighter/Illusionist
Elf Sorcerer
Human Inquisitor
Half-Elven Cleric/Ranger
Elven Fighter/Mage/Thief

You're most powerful with 5 guys, IMHO. You can add other NPCs for bonus XP and quests, and when not doing any side-quests, you can level up slightly faster than you otherwise would.

I meant that monks can detect, not disarm, but I guess I didn't explain that well enough.

Another thing I guess I didn't explain well enough is that I do NOT want a magic-heavy party. I will have one and a half arcane casters at the absolute outside; preferably around three-quarters. Now don't get me wrong, I appreciate your help; I'm just frustrated. :o

What I'm looking for is a party of 6 characters that will slice through SoA & ToB like a hot knife through butter. I want monster chunks flying every which way until my characters can't even see the floor.

So far we've got:
Monk (Scarlet Ninja-To until he outgrows it)
R/C (FoA and Crom Faeyr)
Kensai->Thief (Celestial Fury for backstabbing, dual-wielded with Belm or Scarlet Ninja-To)
Inquisitor (Carsomyr +6, bows and two-handed swords until then)
Swashbuckler->Mage (Staff of the Magi, but probably darts most of the time)
??????

You can see that even the mage can handle herself if need be with some combat spells.

So you're looking for a "see enemy, hack enemy, wade through enemy's blood" party?

What's wrong with a pure class berserker or barbarian then? Half orc would do the trick.

If you're willing to cheese, I still think the blade would be more helpful, but it doesn't sound like you care to take the time to create the chorus of singing images or even use tenser's transformation to make your blade a juggernaut.

So you're looking for a "see enemy, hack enemy, wade through enemy's blood" party? Mostly; this party will probably never see the end of ToB, and will just be for those odd times when I want to revel in the destruction (without cheese, of course).

What's wrong with a pure class berserker or barbarian then? Half orc would do the trick. :o Leave it to dmc to point out the obvious. I had initially been wondering about whether to go with an Assassin for the backstab or a Barbarian for the rage. But now that I've got a Kensai->Thief for the backstab, the Barbarian fits right in. :doh:

Thanks all. Next time I'll try not to be so ditzy. :roll:

So, you're happy with just the one mage, right?

Hmm, maybe a barbarian ar fighter (dwarf or halforc) as dmc suggested or a F/D? You'd have someone to split the healing load with the R/C and another tank with some divine protection from AoF and Ironskins. Equip him/her with daggers and clubs (Firetooth and Blackblood) and keep a shield.

my Suggestion is to go with your origional party Idea. You want an awesome thief but aren't out to backstab the Swashbuckler is your man. It gets the same points a turn to spend as a thief does. the only thing is it doesn't get a backstab multiplier. it's meant to fight. Specializing doesn't seem like much but he can do it. And he can put three dots in Dual Wielding.

Just Take out your Blade And throw in something spell caster wise. Then you have 1 arcane spellcaster and your butt is covered.

The Barbarian is nice and strong. And if you just have to backstab. Stick to the master of it. And get the Assassination HLA with the Assassin when he gets that high.

Okay, new question: Who wants to be what? :D

Inquisitor: chevalier (duh)
Monk: ?
Ranger/Cleric: Beren (a priest of Mielikki would make Jaheira fall head over heels)
Kensai/Thief: ?
Swashbuckler/Mage: ?
Half-Orc Barbarian: ?

When do you intend to dual your two thieves?
Swashi[10]/Mage[x] & Kensai[13]/Thief[x]?

EDIT: Why not simply SK the NPCs as and when you let them join? Give them the race, stats, class and profeciencies of your choice.

Swashbuckler/Mage: Felinoid (short bow & staff)
Kensai/Thief: Me :D (katana & dagger)
Ranger/Cleric: Jaheira (dual flails & maces)
Half-Orc Barbarian: Minsc (great swords & halberds)
Inquisitor: Keldorn (sheild with long sword & axe)
Monk: Valygar

[ November 17, 2005, 21:27: Message edited by: Shrikant ]

Okay Shrikant, you're in; I can use the standard half-orc portrait for you. :) (Take a look at the bottom for info on your character that I need filled in.)

When do you intend to dual your two thieves?
Swashi[10]/Mage[x] & Kensai[13]/Thief[x]? Actually, I was planning to take the swashie to 15 so that both characters can dual around the same time. Sure, I won't get the swashie's skills back too soon, but I'll have the K/T in the meantime. Plus, with the SoM my Swash15/Mage16+ will have a 'naked' AC of 0. :D

P.S. kuemper's got the monk spot (due to the 3e monk/Painbearer of Ilmater she's playing in PnP), and I'll be using the port she's got at RPG Dungeon. So:

Chevalier the Inquisitor
LG human male
wielding two-handed swords and a bow

STR 18/98
DEX 18
CON 9
INT 13
WIS 17
CHA 18


Beren the Ranger/Cleric (of Mielikki)
NG half-elven male
dual-wielding FoA & CF

STR 18/00
DEX 18
CON 18
INT 5 (he's chasing a CRPG character, for chev's sake :nuts: )
WIS 18
CHA 15 (for chasing the CRPG character :D )


Kuemper the Monk
LE human female
bare-fisted

STR 18
DEX 18
CON 16
INT 12
WIS 16
CHA 10


Shrikant the Barbarian
?? half-orc [fe?]male
wielding axes?

STR 19
DEX 18
CON 19
INT 9
WIS 7
CHA 10 (Max for a PnP half-orc, BTW)

[ November 17, 2005, 21:48: Message edited by: Felinoid ]

I, personally, am all in favour of an assassin. It's actually amazingly easy just to load up on invisibility potions and have that huge backstab multiplier. Even low level assassins can do 60-80 damage, and then be quick enough to drink a potion again to avoid being attacked.

Sorcerer is also a good choice if you plan on doing that cutting through enemies. Most levels have only 3 or 4 awesome spells that are used repeatedly (at least for me anyways), so getting those extra 2 spells per day is an awesome advantage. (Especially if you ever get to play at the top levels where you can do 4 Dragon Breaths in one Time Stop)

However, your party is actually quite nice, though I haven't ever played Swashbuckler because of my assassin obsession.

:o Wow, thanks. I never realized I was so wise! :lol: ;) SKing NPCs sorta takes the fun out of the game, doesn't it?

After all this time you haven't been able to figure out that I'm a Male :flaming:
CG, CN or NE. Will have to be CG if you want to use the Azuredge I guess.
And can you hike the Int to 11. Would be kinda sad if I couldn't withstand 2 hits from a psicon. Wouldn't mind looking more distasteful than usual as a sacrifice.

Personally, I'd rather be using two-handed weapons as a Barbarian. I know my AC is never gonna be that good.

After all this time you haven't been able to figure out that I'm a Male :flaming: :lol: Well, I was 99% sure you were male, but I didn't want to assume on the off chance that I'd read you wrong.

Thankfully I haven't made up your character yet because of the alignment question, so I can easily boost your INT when I do. And yes, I guess I should make you CG for Azuredge. How does this look?

Shrikant the Barbarian
CG half-orc male
wielding axes and maces with a shield (AC can be pretty good with dragon scale armor)

STR 19
DEX 18
CON 19
INT 11
WIS 9
CHA 8

@kuemper:
You don't mind being evil, do you? ;)

Cool :thumb:

Are you going to be the K/T or the S/M? You have Chev, Beren, kuemper and me. So who else is coming along?

Ooh ooh! Can I volunteer? :bigeyes:

I generally play stealthy thief types, and have some real-life katana sk1llz, so could fit either of those, if big cat wants me along... I won't make too many stipulations other than masculinity. And probably TN alignment, too.

I would be honoured to join you on this quest, master Felinoid! ;)

Okay Magpie, you can be the K/T (especially considering your advocacy for it in other threads). How's this?

Magpie the Kensai (hey, that rhymes! :roll: )
TN human male
wielding Celestial Fury, etc.

STR 18/87
DEX 18
CON 18
INT 10
WIS 12
CHA 10

When you hit lvl13 I'll dual you to a thief and go from there.

P.S. Where can I find an appropriate port?

EDIT:
Finalized stats.

[ November 18, 2005, 21:29: Message edited by: Felinoid ]

I think that there's a Dak'kon portrait in the relevant sounds pack on the SP Custom Sound Pack page, here (http://www.sorcerers.net/Games/BG2/index_editors6.php).

Otherwise, good job, and thank you! :thumb:

You don't mind being evil, do you? ;) Evil, schmevil, as long as I'm rich. :p

Cool, but I still need someone to be the Swash/Mage; if I make it me, I'll feel compelled to give him ridiculous stats and I'd like to avoid that. So, do I have any takers for a homely but otherwise awesome S/M?

???????? the Swashbuckler
?? human [fe?]male
wielding the SoM and darts

STR 18-
DEX 18
CON 16
INT 18
WIS 18
CHA 3+

Like the stats aren't crazy enough already?

93 - Inquisitor (Chev)
92 - C/R (Beren)
90 - Monk (kuemper)
84 - Barbarian (Shrikant)
86 - K/T (Magpie)
91 + S/M

Bite the bait cat, lead this party :banana:

No, I mean really crazy, like this:

STR 14
DEX 24 :eek:
CON 16
INT 18
WIS 18
CHA 16

That's 106 total, with Ctrl+8 and a 6-use CLUAed Dex Tome. :whoa: Not gonna happen if I can at all avoid it. :nono: Besides, chev will be leading the party with his 18 CHA (and 9000+ posts :shake: ).

For those who want to join, keep in mind that the swashie will immediately be getting the RoHI (from the circus tent) to boost their CHA, and they'll look like this the rest of the game:

STR 18
DEX 18
CON 16
INT 18
WIS 18
CHA 18

Or, as an alternative, I could drop the strength (relying on a belt) and boost the charisma, as I tried to indicate with the "STR 18-" and "CHA 3+".

EDIT: The alternative might look something like this:

STR 10 +/- (19+ with strength belt)
DEX 18
CON 16
INT 18
WIS 18
CHA 10+

[ November 19, 2005, 18:18: Message edited by: Felinoid ]

Why not just play the protagonist in BGI first for even better stats? Or, you could always just use Shadowkeeper and start with all 25's!

@Klorox:
No monk in vanilla BG1 (NO Tutu :nono: ), and if I wanted all 25's I'd get all 25's. :rolleyes:

However, I think I have solved it. Presenting:

Arabwel the Swashbuckler
CE human female

STR 10
DEX 18
CON 16
INT 18
WIS 18
CHA 11

And her familiar, Harbourboy the raven (quasit), who will strike fear (Horror) into the hearts of our enemies with his battlecry, "Nevermore!" :lol:

If you look at the previous alignments, CE balances pretty well.
x x x
. x .
x . x

Of course, Ara will have to be the protagonist to get a familiar, and adding to that will be the increased melee ability of the Slayer form for her. :evil: I might actually use it for once. :heh: It'll also be appropriate to have the protagonist carrying all the quest items for once.

chev will still be the leader of the group, with Beren the wise (NG) advisor. (chev's LG counters Ara's CE, Shrikant's CG counters kuemper's LE, and Magpie's TN just stays out of it; Beren's is the only alignment that doesn't balance.) I will Ctrl+Y every NPC with a few exceptions:
Jaheira will be left in the protective arms of the Harpers until I summon her to the Pocket Plane for safe-keeping. Arabwel will kill Imoen herself in Spellhold. :evil: chevalier will Detect Lie on Yoshimo and cut him down where he stands. :pope: ;)Others may also be safeguarded or slaughtered if an impassioned plea is made by one of the "characters". :D

EDIT: FULL NPC LIST

Chevalier the Inquisitor
LG human male
wielding two-handed swords and a bow

STR 18/98
DEX 18
CON 9
INT 13
WIS 17
CHA 18


Beren the Ranger/Cleric (of Mielikki)
NG half-elven male
dual-wielding FoA & CF

STR 18/00
DEX 18
CON 18
INT 5
WIS 18
CHA 15


Kuemper the Monk
LE human female
bare-fisted

STR 18
DEX 18
CON 16
INT 12
WIS 16
CHA 10


Shrikant the Barbarian
CG half-orc male
wielding axes and maces with a shield

STR 19
DEX 18
CON 19
INT 11
WIS 9
CHA 8


Magpie the Kensai (dualled to thief @lvl13)
TN human male
wielding Celestial Fury, etc.

STR 18/87
DEX 18
CON 18
INT 10
WIS 12
CHA 10


Arabwel the Swashbuckler (dualled to mage @lvl15)
CE human female
wielding Staff of the Magi and darts

STR 10
DEX 18
CON 16
INT 18
WIS 18
CHA 11


Harbourboy the raven
CE quasit male
wielding beak and claws

STR 15
DEX 18
CON 9
INT 9
WIS 9
CHA 9
:roll:

[ November 19, 2005, 23:14: Message edited by: Felinoid ]

I guess I should have added a :rolleyes: to my post.

Slaughter Minsc! (And Boo Too!) For the greater Evil and the end to the Buttkickings for Goodness!

~paid for by the Giant Minature Space Hamster's Assassination Squad~

Sorry starwalker, can't do that; I'm already on the second level of ID. Minsc got killed with Ctrl+Y yesterday, and Ara got snarky with Jaheira after she wouldn't talk to Beren. :hahaerr: Naturally that put Beren in a bad mood and he told off Yoshimo before chev could scan him (quick little bugger :mad: ), but I'll get the traitorous scum in the CC. :evil:

I'm mostly looking for pleas from the seven, though. I don't imagine Beren will have any objections since Jaheira will be safe and sound, but the other six still can still save/slaughter someone if they ask. :D

~pouts~ Damn that Ranger. The Giant Minature Space Hamster Assassination Squad will not be pleased.

Well since this is a band of seven, Imoen won't mean much to me. Going after some mageling who didn't know to use her head before getting into trouble is not on my list of things to do. Anything thant nets us big shiny new weapons is ok with this HalfOrc.
Fighting weak humans is boring, lets fight some Trolls :xx: